Kalamazoo, MI: Organic Gypsy Makes Move to Kalamazoo

I envision providing food year round through the truck, catering and retail products–bringing people together through the wonderful harvest of our local bounty; creating links between people, health, food and the face of food–our local farmers

When Kalamazoo passed an ordinance in August 2012 allowing food truck vendors to operate in the city the Benton Harbor-based Bridgett Blough, also known as The Organic Gypsy, didn’t expect it would mean the bulk of her business would be shifting to the city to the north. But that’s what happened.

Blough is relocating her business, operating a food truck, catering, and creating artisan organic products, to a commissary kitchen in Kalamazoo to take advantage of growing opportunities for food truck vending in The Zoo.

Centralizing in Kalamazoo also will greatly reduce transportation costs and will allow Blough to operate much more efficiently. The Organic Gypsy will be partnering with another local food artisan, The Tamale Guy in the kitchen on South Burdick Street.

She says she sees the move as an opportunity to shape Kalamazoo’s new and growing food truck culture and plans to become a positive part of the city’s overall food scene.

Having tried her fare at the food truck, local businesses have asked Blough to serve her food at their place of business and to share her message of wellness to their employees. The food truck will continue to serve at local fairs and festivals but will now be able to have a much stronger presence on the street.

A new service will be coming soon–retail products that can be ordered through e-mail and picked up at the kitchen. The retail products will focus on combining organic seasonal foods with Blough’s certified organic chef cooking techniques, and making them available for people to eat at home.

“I envision providing food year round through the truck, catering and retail products–bringing people together through the wonderful harvest of our local bounty; creating links between people, health, food and the face of food–our local farmers,” says Blough.